¹³ Once more the Philistines raided the valley;^(A)

⁹ Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley^(A) of Rephaim;

²² Afterward, the prophet^(A) came to the king of Israel and said, “Strengthen your position and see what must be done, because next spring^(B) the king of Aram will attack you again.”

²² Once more the Philistines came up and spread out in the Valley of Rephaim; ²³ so David inquired of the Lord, and he answered, “Do not go straight up, but circle around behind them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. ²⁴ As soon as you hear the sound^(A) of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move quickly, because that will mean the Lord has gone out in front^(B) of you to strike the Philistine army.” ²⁵ So David did as the Lord commanded him, and he struck down the Philistines^(C) all the way from Gibeon^[a](D) to Gezer.^(E)